Chapter 37
PIP
“This hot chocolate should warm you up,” Snickers says as a waitress arrives at our table, setting two steaming mugs in front of us.
It looks delicious, the steam swirling above it like something out of a glossy food commercial.
Piglet sits on something akin to a doggy highchair so that his upper body and paws can reach the table.
It's good having Piglet with me. His presence helps me stay 'professional' around Snickers.
Just as he's staying professional with me.
I’m about to take a welcome sip of cocoa, when Kit interrupts. “Not yet. I need to set up the camera.”
I sigh, watching the steam slowly fade. That curling steam is the main attraction for drinking hot cocoa, after all.
I watch Kit and the other media photographers busy themselves with their tools, then turn to Snickers.
"Earlier this morning, Kit told me that your Snickerdoodle fan, Sara, was spotted in the kitchen before that dish with the threatening note was served. Did Clare tell you anything more?"
"Just that she visited her apartment and spoke to her roommates. Apparently, Sara went home, packed her bags, and left without telling them where she was going."
"Guilt!" I say. "Clearly she's the culprit. Can you please convince Clare to go to the police? Maybe make the charges yourself since you're the CEO."
Snickers slowly shakes his head as he looks at me.
"You've led a sheltered life, Pip. It’ll take a lot more than a note for the police to take action. Besides, she's gone. The best thing you can do is forget about her."
Nodding, I absently stroke Piglet's glossy fur. “This week has taken its toll on me. I could never be an actress. I hate play-acting and showmanship."
Snickers’ eyebrows shoot up. “From the way you sport all that vintage stuff, you seem a natural extrovert."
I laugh. “Far from it. I can be quite shy."
“I’m no psychiatrist. But that line doesn't make sense from a girl who dresses like a 1940s movie star.”
“All right, you guys," says Kit, returning. "I’m ready for you. Smile for the cameras and enjoy your hot chocolate.”
“It’s cold chocolate, now,” I say under my breath.
Snickers sniggers.
When the cameras roll, we make fake small talk and clink our cups of cold cocoa together.
Once Kit and the other paparazzi have had their fill of shots, she puts her camera down.
“Well, that part’s done. Feel free to sit around and chat while I go live on YouTube. I need to update subscribers on what they can expect for the rest of the day.”
I look at my phone to check the schedule. "Just the fitting for my wedding dress, right Kit?”
"Clare put a new venue on the schedule. She wants me and my crew to photograph you in your wedding dress by the tree."
"Tree?"
"Yes. The tree near the Brooklyn Bridge where your aunt and uncle carved their initials. She thinks that a shot of Snickers with you wearing your wedding dress, in front of that tree, will resonate with the audience. And fan even more excitement for your wedding rehearsal tonight."
At the words "wedding rehearsal" I take a deep breath and glance at Snickers.
The words, and corresponding image, don't seem to carry the same weight for him as they do for me.
"Kit, do you think I can invite my aunt to watch the photoshoot? She made the carving in the tree, after all. And she was the one who suggested it as one of our 'romantic spots.'”
"Of course, Pip. Great idea."
"Your aunt, huh?" says Snickers, once Kit leaves. "You think she'll approve of me?”
"Well, we'll just have to wait and see."